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Festive Self-guided Walking at Derwentwater

Activity types:

Level

Difficulty indicator

Difficulty is measured on many factors such as distance, ascent/descent, terrain, weather and more. There's no magic formula, but from our experience we use yellow for easy, orange for medium and red for hard. Challenger holidays require a high level of fitness and stamina.

Holiday overview

Enjoy a festive break in the Lake District with the walking experts; we have all the ingredients for your perfect Self-guided walking holiday.

Our 4-star Country House, Derwent Bank, idyllically situated on the shores of Derwent Water, is geared to the needs of walkers and outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy hearty local food, our legendary picnic lunches, and our excellent boot and drying room. To help you explore we'll give you a free Ordnance Survey map, plus detailed route notes for our recommended walking and cycle routes. On many holidays our experienced leaders are on hand to offer help and advice.

And our favouriteDandelion cafe withcomfortable chairs,delicious local produce anda great cup of tea of coffee

Dining

All holidays at our Country Houses are full board with breakfast, picnic lunch and evening meal. All of our Country Houses have a well-stocked bar serving local beers, wine and spirits.

√Start your day with our extensive breakfast.√ Take your fill from our famous self service picnic lunches√ A relaxed social dinner is a highlight of any stay at our Country Houses

Your evenings

Just relax and take it easy, or if you'd like to continue to chat with our guides and fellow guests then why not grab a drink or take part in one of our option evening activities.

All of our bars are stocked with locally sourced drinks so you can really soak up your surroundings.

Accessibility

Due to the layout and age of Derwent Bank, bedrooms within the main house are not accessible for wheelchair users, with all accommodation being reached by stairs. We do have some chalets in the grounds which are on the ground floor which can be used for wheelchair users, however mobility will be restricted in the room. Once you have gained access to the house all public rooms are accessible for wheelchairs.

Ideas and contacts for more active options such as kayaking and pony trekking

A daily weather forecast

When you're not walking, there's plenty to do locally. Why not cycle around the lake or in nearby Whinlatter Forest, or take in a performance at Keswick’s superb Theatre by the Lake. See the 'Local Area' tab for further ideas.

Detailed walking notes: all our walking notes contain detailed directions, route maps, and information about the places of interest on the route.

Laid back walks

Our easiest routes, allowing plenty of time to savour the magnificent mountain landscapes. All our walk notes suggest the best places to stop, great pubs, and tea rooms.

Latrigg short walk - 1½ miles

Mirehouse & St Bega's church - 1½ miles

Friar's Crag - 2 miles

Brandlehow Woods - 2½ miles

Through the Jaws of Borrowdale - 4 miles

Around Buttermere - 4 miles

Around Swinside - 5 miles

Ashness Bridge - 5 miles

Leg stretcher walks

Some longer walks on valley and lakeside paths, plus a few of the easier lower fells. Experience a true flavour of Lakeland as you follow these varied routes.

Walla Crag & Ashness Bridge - 6 miles

Borrowdale & Derwent Water - 6 miles

Cat Bells Terrace - 7 miles

Cat Bells - 7 miles

Watendlath & Derwent Water - 8 miles

Newlands Valley - 9 miles

Latrigg via Keswick - 9 miles

Around Derwent Water - 9 miles

Full on walks

For those who love the high mountains. Expect some rough paths as you head to some of these famous summits, but there are plenty of rewards when you reach the top.

Haystacks - 5 miles

Blencathra - 7 miles

High Stile - 9 miles

Scafell Pike - 9 miles

Cat Bells, Maiden Moor & High Spy - 12 miles

Newlands Round - 13 miles

What our HF Holiday route testers say:

High Stile Ridge:"A superb, high level, walk with fantastic views in all directions. One of my favourite Lakeland walks that is worthy of enjoying on a long, fine summer day" Cath Pearce, HF Holidays' Leader

Newlands Round: "A varied and demanding walk that shows the different faces of Newlands, from the pastoral lowlands to the rough, high tops." Martin Jones, HF Holidays' Leader

Brandlehow Woods: ..."You can also extend your day by using the launch to circumnavigate the lake after your walk." John Wrigley, HF Holidays' Leader

Local area

Discover the Lake District

The Lake District is England’s premier national park with outstanding mountain scenery.

KeswickThe nearest town is Keswick, about two miles away. As a popular tourist destination it has a range of facilities including supermarkets, banks, a post office, pubs and cafés. It is also well known for its huge number of outdoor shops where you can buy an array of clothing and equipment for the outdoors.

During your visit to Derwent Bank you may enjoy visiting the following places of interest:

Derwentwater LaunchTake a leisurely journey around Derwentwater on the ferry - a great way to see the surrounding mountains from a different perspective. The nearest stop at Nichol End is just a few minutes’ walk from Derwent Bank. www.keswick-launch.co.uk

Theatre by the LakeSituated by the lakeshore in Keswick, the theatre offers an excellent repertoire of plays in the main house and smaller studio theatre. The theatre’s popularity means that advance booking is recommended, especially in the high season. www.theatrebythelake.com

Honister Slate MineGo underground on the mine tour at this famous Lake District mine which is situated at the top of Honister Pass between Borrowdale and Buttermere. Here you can travel underground and learn about the history of Lake District slate production. Honister is around 30 minutes' drive from Derwent Bank, and can also be reached directly using the Honister Rambler bus. www.honister.com

Whinlatter Forest & Go Ape!Relax at the visitors centre and cafe, or follow the excellent new mountain bike trail; one of the best in Britain. The high-ropes Go Ape course is great option for active teenagers. www.forestry.gov.uk/whinlatter or www.goape.co.uk

Derwent Water MarinaHire a canoe or sailing boat and enjoy one of England’s most beautiful lakes. Just five minutes’ walk from Derwent Bank. www.derwentwatermarina.co.uk

GrasmereGrasmere is about 30 minutes’ drive from Derwent Bank and is famous with its connections with William Wordsworth. The poet’s homes at Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount can be visited, the former of which includes the Wordsworth Museum. Wordsworth’s birthplace can also be visited in Cockermouth; a pleasant market town to the north-west of Derwent Bank. Both Grasmere and Cockermouth can be reached by local bus from Keswick. www.wordsworth.org.uk

UllswaterAbout 30 minutes’ drive from Derwent Bank is Ullswater, arguably the most beautiful of the Cumbrian lakes. Enjoy its glorious scenery either on foot or by steamer. If you are visiting the Ullswater area you could also visit the superb waterfall of Aira Force or the country house and gardens at Dalemain. www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk or www.dalemain.com

Lake District Wildlife ParkWell worth a visit for the whole family. You can watch the antics of the otters, apes and monkeys and marvel at the flying displays of eagles and vultures. www.lakedistrictwildlifepark.co.uk

CarlisleCarlisle, about 45 minutes from Derwent Bank is the historic county town of Cumbria. Here you’ll find a good selection of shops, the cathedral, and castle. Of particular interest is the Tullie House Museum which is recognised for its exciting, varied events and exhibitions programme and is full of exciting interactive displays. www.tulliehouse.co.uk

Travel

Travel to Derwentwater

By train:

The nearest train station is at Penrith on the main line between London and Glasgow. For train times and general rail enquiries visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 03457 484950 (from outside the UK call +44 20 7278 5240).

HF station transfer - great value!

Our station transfer operates every Friday and Monday between Penrith station and Derwent Bank. The pickup is at 4.50pm from Penrith railway station. On departure day the transfer will get you back to Penrith station by 9.50am. This transfer costs just £10 return, however a place must be reserved in advance by calling 0345 470 7558.

By taxi:

If you can’t meet our station transfer, the 20 mile journey from Penrith to Derwent Bank can be made by taxi. Pre-booked taxis cost approx £30 per journey (or around £50 if not pre-booked). Details of our current recommended taxi company and rates will be sent to you with your booking. The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Derwent Bank Manager.

By bus:

The X5 bus runs approxiately every hour from Penrith station. The nearest bus stop is on the A66, about ¾ mile walk from Derwent Bank. Alight at the Portinscale bus stop and take the road on the left (signposted to Portinscale, Grange and the Newlands Valley). Follow this road through Portinscale village - Derwent Bank is on the left-hand side after the Derwentwater Marina. For bus times see www.traveline.info

By car:

From Penrith - leave the M6 motorway at junction 40 and take the A66 towards Keswick. After 17 miles you'll reach a roundabout in Keswick - continue ahead following signs to Cockermouth and Workington. One mile beyond the roundabout, and 200yds beyond the B5289 turning to Keswick, turn left off off the A66 signposted to Portinscale, Grange and the Newlands Valley. Derwent Bank is approx ¾ mile along this road on the left after the Derwentwater Marina and before the Nichol End Marina. There is a large car park available at Derwent Bank.